So said Ben Franklin. Something to think of in this day of mandated bicycle helmets, government-required purchases, and legally required speech.

Embellishments of Ben's original comment add that those who make the trade wind up with neither liberty nor safety. Something to think of every time we see a new rule requiring the use of certain products, expanding the reach of government, and (most notably) claiming authority to control firearms.

Something to consider, again, as each new NEC edition finds a need to regulate things that got on quite well for a century without the 'help' of these self-appointed regulators. Example: The required phone jack.